Angry publicans are furious they may not be able to serve beer while England's footballers aim for World Cup glory.

Scottish and Newcastle Breweries will go to the High Court in a bid to overturn a ban by Newcastle magistrates on city pubs serving alcohol during early morning games.

When an S&N pub applied for permission to serve before 11am during the tournament it was refused, despite a Government ruling that pubs could trade.

The magistrates claimed a 1978 ruling said televised sport should not be treated as a special occasion.

Newcastle publicans today backed S&N's bid.

Michael Gibson, general manager of The Old George pub, in Newcastle's Bigg Market, said: "We planned to open for every game. This ban is ridiculous. I hope S&N's application is successful. Our plan was to put breakfasts on and turn it into a nice occasion."

Paul Wilson, assistant manager of Johnny Ringos, in Moseley Street, said: "We are classed as a sports venue and have already taken some provisional bookings for early morning games so we would support what S&N are doing. England games are special occasions, everybody wants to watch them, it is a shame this is happening.

"People aren't going to drink a lot, they just want to watch the game with a drink. "It is not just about profits for us, people will come in for the atmosphere."

Relief manager at Luckies Bar, in Newcastle, Chris Cable, said: "With matches being on early people won't be drinking a lot. It is the atmosphere of being able to go to a pub. Lots of pubs in Europe will be doing it.

"We are going for capital of culture in 2008 and are meant to be one of the world's top party cities.

"If anything people will probably come in for a breakfast and just get a couple of pints and then leave for work afterwards."

Anne Tenant of the Punch Bowl on the Cradlewell by-pass said: "If pubs are going to serve alcohol in other parts of the country why should Newcastle be different."